Bulls Pick Up O’Rourke and Domin From Brahmas In Major Trade

AMARILLO, TX – Two teams who have had a problem generating offense and scoring this season made a major trade.

The Amarillo Bulls, proud members of the North American Hockey League announced today (Tuesday) they have sent forwards Jon Russell and Steven Ipri to the Lone Star Brahmas for Austin O’Rourke and Jared Domin, as well as a 2nd round pick in this June’s NAHL Draft.

The Bulls offense has come up dry in their last six games averaging less than two goals per game. The same can be said for the Lone Star Brahmas who have had issues putting the puck in the net for most of the campaign.

O’Rourke a native of Canton, Georgia, had nine goals and eight assists for 17 points in 28 games. Last year, he was part of the group that powered the Lone Star Brahmas to the Robertson Cup National Championship. In 50 games of action, O’Rourke had eight goals and nine assists for 17 points. He also added another four goals and one assist in 11 Robertson Cup playoff games.

Domin, who hails from Novi, Michigan, has been out of the Brahmas line-up this season due to injury, but picked up six points (three goals and three assists) in 15 games.

“We are very excited to have Austin and Jared join our program,” said Bulls Head Coach Rocky Russo. “We are fully committed to improve our on-ice product, and make a playoff push in the second half of the year.”

Russo said both O’Rourke and Domin will help the Bulls in a variety of ways.

“Austin brings tremendous leadership as well as playoff and Robertson Cup experience,” Russo added. “Jared is a junior hockey veteran that has an immense amount of offensive success the last few years. He battled an injury in the first half of the year, but is now healthy and excited for the opportunity here in Amarillo.

“We are confident that both players will be a tremendous addition to our team both on the ice and in the community. With that being said, we would like to thank Steven and Jon for their time here in Amarillo and wish them good luck in the future.”

Ipri, who is committed to Mercyhurst College, had just 16 points in 23 games for the Bulls this season after collecting 40 points a year ago. Russell, who is committed to Harvard, had 19 goals and six assists for 25 points in 31 games.

It is an off-weekend for the Amarillo Bulls and will not return to action until Friday, Jan. 12 and Saturday, Jan. 13 when they face the Corpus Christi IceRays at American Bank Center at 7 pm. Fans can tune into the action live on CBS Sports Radio 1440, online at www.amarillobulls.com and on PPV with Hockey TV beginning 20 minutes before the puck is dropped with pre-game coverage.

Hockey returns to the Budweiser Bull Pen in the Amarillo Civic Center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18, 19, and 20th when the Bulls host the Odessa Jackalopes in the next three games of the New Avenues I-27 Freeway Championship Series.

Saturday is Star Wars Night Presented by Comic Con in support of 24 Hours in the Canyon. The Bulls will wear special jerseys and live auction will follow immediately after the game on the Saturday night.